At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative vehicle body design projects from concept to manufacture using SolidWorks.
- Company: Join a leading UK vehicle body manufacturer with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Earn up to £60,000 plus a 20% bonus and enjoy a company vehicle.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and opportunities for travel between sites.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the automotive industry while mentoring junior engineers.
- Qualifications: Experience in vehicle body design and strong SolidWorks skills required.
A Senior Design Engineer is required for our client, a leading UK vehicle body manufacturer with over 900 employees across 12 sites nationwide. This is a newly created senior-level opportunity, providing technical leadership to a junior Design Engineer while taking responsibility for design activities across the Elland and Stoke-on-Trent manufacturing sites. The role will initially be based predominantly in Elland for approximately six months, before becoming more evenly split between Elland and Stoke-on-Trent. Occasional travel to Milton Keynes and Bradford will also be required.
The business specialises in commercial vehicle bodies and transport-related products, with the Design team using SolidWorks to produce designs and manufacturing drawings, including work around Volvo chassis drawings.
Senior Design Engineer Job Overview
- Lead vehicle body and transport-related design projects from concept through to manufacture
- Produce detailed 3D models and 2D manufacturing drawings using SolidWorks
- Interpret chassis and vehicle manufacturer drawings and understand packaging and vehicle integration
- Design vehicle bodies, structures, panels, brackets, assemblies and fabricated components
- Manage BOMs, drawing revisions and engineering documentation
- Work closely with manufacturing, production and workshop teams to resolve design and build issues
- Liaise with fabricators, bodybuilders, vehicle manufacturers and suppliers
- Support prototype builds, first-off builds and engineering changes
- Ensure designs meet relevant legislation, safety and industry requirements
- Provide technical guidance to a junior Design Engineer
- Support cost reduction, standardisation and continuous improvement
Senior Design Engineer Job Requirements
- Proven experience as a Design Engineer / Senior Design Engineer within vehicle body, transport, automotive, capital equipment or a similar manufacturing environment
- Strong SolidWorks experience
- Good understanding of 2D manufacturing drawings and drawing standards
- Experience designing fabricated, welded and sheet metal components
- Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and design for manufacture
- Understanding of fabrication, hydraulics, electrical systems and vehicle integration
- Experience taking engineering projects from concept through to completion
- Practical experience working with production and workshop teams
- Knowledge of vehicle weights, type approval and compliance would be advantageous
- Experience with commercial vehicles, specialist vehicles, municipal vehicles or highway maintenance equipment would be highly desirable
- ERP experience, particularly with engineering data and BOM management, would be advantageous
- HNC/HND, degree or equivalent qualification in Mechanical Engineering, Product Design or a related discipline would be advantageous
What We're Looking For
We're looking for a practical and commercially aware Senior Design Engineer who can do more than simply produce CAD designs. You'll work closely with manufacturing teams, suppliers and internal stakeholders to develop practical, manufacturable solutions and take ownership of projects through to completion. The successful candidate will be confident supporting junior engineers, managing multiple projects and working across different manufacturing sites.
Senior Design Engineer Salary & Benefits
- Salary: Up to £60,000
- Bonus: Up to 20%
- Company vehicle: Company vehicle provided, including electric BMW models such as the iX3
- Fuel/electric charging: Costs covered, including home EV charging installation where applicable
- Holiday: 28 days including bank holidays, plus Christmas shutdown
- Working hours: 40 hours per week
- Flexible start/finish: Start between 6am and 9am, provided 40 hours are completed
- Location: Elland initially, then split between Elland and Stoke-on-Trent
- Travel: Regular travel between sites, with occasional visits to Milton Keynes and Bradford
Senior Design Engineer - Vehicle Body / Transport Design employer: Bennett and Game Recruitment LTD
Join a leading player in the HVAC sector as a Chiller Engineer in Kent, where you will benefit from a supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth and development. With competitive salaries ranging from £40-47k, generous holiday allowances, and travel expenses covered, this role offers not just a job, but a rewarding career path in a thriving industry. Enjoy the unique advantage of working in a dynamic team environment while contributing to impactful projects across the South East.
Contact Details:
Bennett and Game Recruitment LTD Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Design Engineer - Vehicle Body / Transport Design
✨Get Your Hands Dirty at Engineering Events
Join local engineering meetups or industry conferences related to mechanical engineering. Whether it's a workshop or a career fair, these events are goldmines for networking and getting a foot in the door. Plus, you can showcase your passion and enthusiasm directly to potential employers like Bennett and Game Recruitment LTD.
✨Connect with Professors & Peers
Tap into your university’s resources—professors often have connections in the industry. Don’t be shy to ask about potential openings or recommendations. Your classmates might also know of companies hiring. Often, it’s who you know that gets you in front of the right people!
✨Highlight Your Projects and Practical Experience
When you land those interviews, make sure to talk about your hands-on projects or internships. Whether it's a design project or hands-on experience with CAD software, specific examples will make you stand out. Companies like Bennett and Game Recruitment LTD love to hear about practical applications of your skills.
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
Check out the careers page of Bennett and Game Recruitment LTD and apply directly through there. It shows initiative and interest in their specific values. Plus, you'll often find openings that aren't advertised on job boards, giving you a better chance to land that full-time gig!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Design Engineer - Vehicle Body / Transport Design
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Expertise:In mechanical engineering, it’s vital to highlight your technical skills and projects. Make sure to include relevant software proficiency (like CAD tools) in your CV. If you've worked on specific engineering projects, detail your key contributions — we want to see how you’ve applied your skills in a practical setting!
Focus on Problem-Solving Examples:Employers in mechanical engineering love to see how you handle challenges. Use your cover letter to share specific instances where you’ve solved a complex problem or improved a design. This will show us you're not just knowledgeable but also capable of applying that knowledge effectively.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Include any relevant certifications or training that can set you apart from the competition. Whether it's coursework from your degree, a recognised certification, or extra training in new technologies, we love to see candidates who continuously improve their skill set. This tells us you're serious about your career in engineering!
Tailor Your CV for the Role:Don’t forget to customise your CV for Bennett and Game Recruitment LTD and the Senior Design Engineer - Vehicle Body / Transport Design role specifically. Pull examples from your experience that align with the job description — it shows us you've done your research and are genuinely interested in becoming part of the team. We recommend applying through our website to ensure your application gets to the right people!
How to prepare for a job interview at Bennett and Game Recruitment LTD
✨Brush Up on Your CAD Skills
Since mechanical engineering often involves design processes, be ready to showcase your proficiency in CAD software like SolidWorks or AutoCAD. Bring along a digital portfolio or even some sketches that demonstrate your design capabilities — it’s a great way to show what you can bring to the table at Bennett and Game Recruitment LTD.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions that test your understanding of engineering principles and problem-solving skills. You might get hypothetical scenarios where you need to design a component or troubleshoot a mechanical system. Practising these types of questions will give you the confidence to tackle whatever comes your way!
✨Show Your Team Spirit
As a full-time mechanical engineer, collaboration is key! Be ready to share examples of past team projects or any experiences where you contributed to solving a complex problem with others. Demonstrating your ability to work in a team will resonate well with the interviewers at Bennett and Game Recruitment LTD.
✨Discuss Your Future Goals
Since this is a full-time position, your long-term vision is important. Be open about your career aspirations, whether it’s mastering a specific tool or leading projects. This shows that you're committed not just to learning but also to growing with Bennett and Game Recruitment LTD, making you a more appealing candidate.
